Western Michigan University

Welcome to the Office of the
Vice President for Research (OVPR)

The work of our office is focused on supporting and sustaining research and creative activity at WMU. We assist with external funding proposal development and submission, manage the awarding and administration of internal funding support, and oversee and assure compliance with research-related federal, state, and University regulations. This site is designed to assist you with access to tools and resources related to these functions.

Front Page News - What's Happening!

Research and Creative Activities Poster Day

Graduate student poster winners for 2013 announced.

Discovery Action Plans Details

Links to an overview of the Discovery Action Plans initiative, Discovery Focus Areas, and the template for drafting Discovery Plans are below:

Overview
Discovery Action Plans (overview)
Discovery Plans and Focus Areas (Implementing Instructions)

Discovery Focus Areas
Discovery Focus Areas Proposal Phase 1 (WMU Template 1)
Discovery Focus Areas Proposal Phase 2 (WMU Template 2)

Discovery Plan
Department Example - Partial (Memorial University)
Discovery Plan Outline (WMU Template 1)
Discovery Plan Example - Partial (WMU Template 2)
Discovery Plan Enclosures 1 - 4 (Overview Encl 1 - 4, one sheet) Discovery Plan Enclosures 1 - 4 (Template with tabs and examples)

NSF Issues New Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide, effective January 2013 Click here for more information.

WMU Research Highlighted

The research endeavors and accomplishments of our outstanding faculty and researchers are impressive. Check out the current issue of the Western Michigan University Research Magazine and the most recent annual report for a sampling of some of the work underway at WMU.

Revised WMU Conflict of Interest (COI) Policy in Effect

The University's COI policy has been revised to align with new National Institutes of Health requirements. To read the revised WMU COI policy, click here. To view details about the changes to the NIH financial conflict of interest regulations, effective as of 8/24/12, click here. If you have questions about the new COI policy in effect at WMU, or you need help with the NIH's COI policy requirements, see your research officer or check under Compliance.

Webcast Resource Available for Faculty and Students

WMU, as a member of the 2012-2013 CARMA Consortium Webcast program, can access webcast lectures on research methods. The Center for the Advancement of Research Methods and Analysis (CARMA) is an interdisciplinary center that helps faculty, professionals and graduate students with research methods and statistics. Click here to learn more.

NSF Data Management Plan Resources Available

The NSF requires that all proposal submissions include a "Data Management Plan," which is a supplemental document that details how the proposal conforms to NSF policy in regard to dissemination and sharing of research results. FastLane will not permit submission of a proposal that is missing a Data Management Plan. Details for program specific requirements are available here. If you need assistance or have questions, please contact your research officer.

New Features Added to Web-based Proposal Approval Form (PAF)

Those submitting or approving proposal submissions using the web-based PAF (AKA "bucksheet") will notice a new look when they log on to OVPR's Proposal Management Center. A new feature allows users to sort and filter the proposals they want to view by such categories as user group, date range, and grant state. This enables users to easily identify the status of those proposals they've submitted or approved for submission.

If you access the web-based PAF from off-campus (e.g., via laptop or home computer) you must use the campus Virtual Private Network (VPN) portal to maintain security of the University's data. The VPN software, available from the OIT website, must be installed on the off-campus computer you will use to log on. Once installed, which takes only a few minutes, the VPN portal can be used to access your current and previous proposal approval forms from off campus locations. Download the VPN Software

For more information about the new web-based PAF or questions about the VPN, call OVPR at 269-387-8270 or contact your research officer.